Leisure centre closure consultation had just 37 responses From The Northern Echo

A QUESTIONNAIRE which helped shape the strategy to close six North- East leisure centres received only 37 responses, from the public, The Northern Echo can reveal.Durham County Council’s Sport and Leisure Strategy is cited as one of the main factors behind the council’s decision to consult on closing six indoor leisure facilities.

However, only 37 people completed questionnaires during a consultation on the strategy, and campaigners fighting to save the leisure centres say without proper consultation, the document has no mandate.The council says it carried out other consultation, including workshops and focus groups, over the plans for centres in Ferryhill, Crook, Coxhoe, Pity Me, Sherburn and Ushaw Moor.